Here's what I wrote about this read in 2010: "Very nice. Story of a highly capable and determined boy English boy growing up on South Africa in the late 1930's through early 1950's. Witness the seeds of apartheid, and the ability of people to significantly touch and impact others." ( )

*4.5 Stars*
// 100 pages to still read

I don't know when I'll have time to finish the last hundred pages, but for now, it's a strong 4.5. I loved Peekay as the main character and the emotional range Mr. Courtney gave him; I don't think we see enough male characters with such a knack for caring and loving. I also really enjoyed how school-boy adventure it felt, and how it all almost seemed to have a happy ending– we just don't get a lot of those in everyday life and I'm a sucker for it. The multitude of parental figures Peekay has as well was really cool to see instead of the typical trope of adults constantly letting down kids we seem to see so much in teen literature, and I just liked how positive the book's message was in all accounts. Having had my own tough childhood I like to think my past experiences have helped me grow for the better instead of hurting me in the long run. It's only shy of 5 stars because I found it a bit long winded at times (3 pages dedicated to describing the land where cacti grow), and I'm not a particularly fast reader so the hours just seemed to pile up. Still good and I still recommend; I learned a lot about the South African cultural climate as well as the power of one ;;;) ( )

It's one of my very favorites, and I handsell it a lot at the book store. Peekay's narration is wonderful, and there's a great cast of characters to love (or hate). I never thought I cared about or for boxing, but the boxing scenes were so exciting to read. Don't watch the movie adaptation. Morgan Freeman's in it, I know, but it did multiple injustices to the story. ( )

The power of one was based on the courage to remain separate, to think through to the truth, and not to be beguiled by convention or the plausible arguments of those who expect to maintain power.

I love when I fall in love with a book that appears to be about a subject I don’t generally feel any enthusiasm for. In this case, that would be boxing. I watched a man named Kid Paret beaten senseless in a televised fight in 1962. He died a few days later. My father loved watching the fights, and we watched them frequently, but that is the only one I can remember in any detail. I remember my daddy saying “The ref needs to call this, he is killing him” and then the strange feeling that told me that was true. All of which is a roundabout way of saying I had reservations when I realized boxing was about to play a major part in this book’s plot.

Like so many books in which sports figure, this book isn’t about the sport at all. It is about the shaping of a boy. If you only view boxing as a “fight”, this book will give you some insight into why boxers are willing to take that beating or give it.

In teaching me independence of thought, they had given me the greatest gift an adult can give to a child besides love, and they had given me that also.

Peekay is an English South African, a child in the days just before World War II, and part of a country divided into the English, the Boers, and the black Africans. Peekay, because of circumstances, finds himself intimately involved with each of these groups, and with a marvelous German professor, known as Doc. And, because of this, the book becomes a story about racial injustice, overcoming adversity when the deck is stacked against you, finding your own place in the world, and having the power of one.

As Doc had pointed out, mystery, not logic, is what gives us hope and keeps us believing in a force greater than our own insignificance.

A reference that brought to mind perhaps my favorite book of all time, made me smile, when Peekay says, “Look, Doc, it’s like Merlin’s altar in the crystal cave!” I laughed and said to myself, this is really a book written for me.

There are moments of brilliance in this novel. It is a timely read, for much of it is about the bridges that can be built between races and the importance of recognizing individuals for who they are and for the wonder each of them brings to our lives.

Is this a good book? In the words of Doc, “Absoloodle!”

A huge thank you to Bob, who has once again opened a new world for me in the pages of a great book.

( )

I loved this book. Listened to it from audio and really liked the narrator, too. Honestly, I wasn't sure about the book when I started it. I do not like boxing but this was not really about boxing it was more about inner strength and believing in yourself. It was about the history of Africa, about loyalty, friendship, and kindness. It was well worth listening too and/or reading. There were parts that were terrible and parts that were funny, just like real life. Overall, I recommend this book. Very good read. ( )